Kathmandu— Hunter Biden has provided a sobering update on his father's health, describing former U.S. President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis as "debilitating" during a recent interview. Speaking on the BBC's Newsnight, the younger Biden revealed that the cancer has metastasized into his father's bones, causing significant pain. The comments come months after the former president's health became a central point of political scrutiny during the 2024 election cycle.

Health Struggles and Debate Performance

The former president's health became a major point of contention following a June 2024 debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump. During that encounter, Biden appeared stiff and struggled to maintain his train of thought, leading to speculation regarding his cognitive state. His wife, Jill Biden, noted at the time that she had worried her husband was suffering a stroke, though she maintained such behavior was an anomaly.

Hunter Biden suggested that the health issues observed during that debate may have been linked to the cancer diagnosis that was not publicly known at the time. "Nine months later, he was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer and stage-four metastatic bone cancer, none of which we knew," Hunter Biden told host Paddy O'Connell. He noted that the condition has become increasingly painful and difficult to witness.

Controversial Presidential Pardons

The interview also addressed the controversial pardons granted by Joe Biden in the final weeks of his presidency. Despite previous campaign pledges not to interfere with the Justice Department, the former president issued a "full and unconditional pardon" to Hunter Biden for his felony convictions involving firearm possession and lying on application forms.

Hunter Biden acknowledged the criticism surrounding the decision, admitting that the pardons were not beneficial for the Constitution, the American people, or his father's legacy. He noted the move was driven by his father's belief that the incoming Trump administration would pursue political retribution against perceived enemies. This was part of a series of unconventional pardons that also included James Biden and Anthony Fauci.

The former president's health and the legacy of his final executive actions remain subjects of intense political debate.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.